Veterinary Autopsy Resource Guide

What is a Pet Autopsy?

An autopsy is an examination
of a body after death. Information
gained from a postmortem exam can be helpful in determining the most likely
cause of death, furthering the understanding of disease, and learning how to
protect and treat other animals with similar conditions.

There are two types of pet autopsies offered ; cosmetic (available for companion animals only) and complete (available
for companion animals and farm animals). The primary purpose of a cosmetic autopsy is to maximize the
information gained while minimizing the appearance of a postmortem
examination. Because it is more
comprehensive, a complete autopsy
may provide the best information for determining a cause of death, expanding
the current knowledge base to protect remaining or subsequent animals against
similar infections, and to better diagnose, treat, and cure disease. Your veterinary health care provider can
assist you in choosing the type of autopsy that is best for you and your
animal.

After Care

If you plan to arrange for the burial or cremation of your animal, you
must be sure to communicate that information to a member of the OSU veterinary
healthcare team. Verify that your
request is properly documented before your
animal's autopsy. A communal cremation option is offered for $25 and all arrangements will be made by OSU VMC. If you are
planning to have your animal's remains privately cremated, you must contact the
cremation service provider directly within 24 hours of your autopsy request. If you are planning to pick up your animal
for burial, you must do so within 3 days of your autopsy request. A
step-by-step resource guide for arranging your animal's cremation is available
upon request at The OSU-VMC Small Animal Reception Desk.

Cost

Below is the cost structure for animals not seen at The OSU-VMC within the last 90 days. Payment is due at the time of drop
off. Cash, credit card or check payments are accepted. There is no charge if this animal has been a patient at The Ohio State
University Veterinary
Medical Center within the last 60 days. The fee includes a communal cremation for companion animals and disposal of all other animals.

Species

Autopsy Cost

Canine

$125

Feline

$125

Avian

$125

Llama

$275

Alpaca

$275

Equine

$425

Results

Autopsy reports are written in a technical
language and are designed to be interpreted by a veterinarian. A complete autopsy report will be mailed to your primary veterinary healthcare provider
in approximately 4 weeks. If you do not
have a primary veterinary healthcare provider the report will be sent directly to the address you provide.

Toxicology and Virology Testing

We do not perform virology or toxicology
testing. Veterinarians or owners wanting
to request this testing must contact a virology and toxicology testing lab
directly. Please note that any tissue to be tested will only be saved for 60
days from the date the autopsy is performed.

Transporting Your Pet to OSU

If you are
not a client of the OSU Veterinary Medical Center and/or your pet was not at
the hospital at the time of death and you are requesting an autopsy, please contact the Lab Coordinator at 614-247-4795.

Transporting Your Animal to
OSU-VMC

If your animal was not at The OSU-VMC at the time of
death, please review the following step-by-step instructions:

Pet Autopsy Request/Animal Drop Off Hours

Monday-Sunday 8:00
a.m.- 12:00 a.m. EST

Before you bring your animal, please keep the body cool (purchasing
bags of ice may be helpful).

Obtain a brief written summary of your animal's clinical
disease from your veterinarian, (or contact your primary veterinary healthcare
provider to request that they promptly fax a summary to Goss Lab/Autopsy at 614-292-6473.), before coming to the
hospital.

Contact The OSU-VMC Small Animal Reception Desk (614) 292-3551. Advise
the receptionist of the date and time that you will be transporting your pet to
the hospital for an autopsy.

When you arrive at the
hospital, please pull up to the front entrance, leave your animal in your car,
and check in at the Small Animal Reception Desk. Inform the receptionist
that you called ahead and that your animal is being brought to the hospital for
an autopsy.

Complete paperwork.

Payment for the autopsy service will be collected at this time. Cash, check, and credit card payments are
accepted.

A Small Animal Receptionist will page a hospital representative to meet
you at your car and assist with the safe transfer of your animal to our applied
pathology services department.